Feifei: In today’s programme…what’s
that smell, Neil? Have you been smoking?

Neil: Smoking? Me?
Absolutely not, no.

Feifei: Well, I’m sure I can
smell it on your clothes.

Neil: It’s not me. No. Smoking
is against the rules here. In fact, it’s against the law.

Feifei: Yes, that’s true. It’s
been in the news a lot recently and with more and more employers banning
smoking in the workplace. Today, we’re talking about rules and regulations at
work. Neil, what do you think about rules at work – are they a necessary evil
or are you a bit of a rebel?

Neil: Ah, you know me, I’m a
rebel through and through! Let’s hear from some other people to find out about
some rules and regulations they have at their workplace.

Voice 1: I’m actually wearing
jeans at work today and I think it’s good to be able to be comfortable when you
come to work because you feel more relaxed, you can work a bit better.

Voice 2: In some countries and
cultures, giving gifts as a business gift is very important. For example, I
lived in Japan for a couple of years and that at New Year’s holidays and at
various other times of the year, it was very important to give gifts.

Voice 3: At my workplace, we
are not allowed to give out personal numbers because it’s a privacy issue and
also you just don’t know what might happen, so it’s for our own protection as
well as in the interest of the company.

Feifei: So a few different
rules there, but Neil, what’s the best way to talk about rules and regulations
at work?

Neil: Well, I can’t answer
that, Feifei! You know the rules of this programme, don’t you?

Feifei: What do you mean?

Neil: Well, we always have
to ask the very lovely Business Betty to answer our question. Oh, I think I can
hear her now.

Neil/Feifei: It’s Business Betty!

Neil: Hello, Betty, and may I say
you’re looking very very lovely today.

BB: Thank you very much and what is
today’s topic?

Feifei: It’s rules and
regulations.

BB: OK, let’s look at some useful
language for talking about rules and regulations at work. To start with, you
can say something is ‘against company policy’. For example, smoking in the
office.

Feifei: Smoking in the office
is against company policy.

BB: Smoking in the office is against
company policy. Or accepting gifts.

Neil: Accepting gifts is
against company policy.

BB: Good, Neil. Another useful phrase
is ‘I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed.’

Feifei: So we could say, I’m
sorry, but we’re not allowed to accept gifts.

Neil: I’m sorry, but we’re
not allowed to give out personal details.

BB: ‘I’m sorry, but we’re not
allowed.’ It’s quite a formal phrase, but you can use it in most situations. If
you want to use a much more informal phrase, Feifei, you can say ‘I’m afraid
that’s a no-no’ when someone asks you if they can do something.

Neil: Are we allowed to wear shorts at
work?

Feifei: I’m afraid that’s a
no-no.

Neil: Can I have John’s home
phone number?

Feifei: I’m afraid that’s a
no-no, too.

BB: Well done. So you can say that
something’s ‘against company policy’. You can use the phrase ‘I’m sorry, but
we’re not allowed’ and then we’ve got an informal phrase ‘I’m sorry, that’s a
no-no’. Is that enough for you both?

Neil: That’s absolutely
wonderful. Thank you, Betty.

BB: Well, if there’s nothing else,
I’ll be on my way.

Feifei: Thanks for coming,
Betty.

Neil: Bye, Betty.

BB: Bye!

Neil: She’s just the best,
isn’t she?

Feifei: I know – I don’t know
what we’d do without her. So Neil, are you ready for a role-play about rules?

Neil: Only if I can be the boss!

Feifei: I’m afraid that’s a
no-no.

Neil: Ha ha, very funny, very very
funny. I like that. Is it against company policy?

Feifei: Ha ha, mmm, funny,
yourself.

Neil: So what’s the situation?

Feifei: OK, we work at the
same place. I’ve been there for years, and you’re new, you’ve been with the
company for about a week and you want to know if you’re allowed to do certain
things. Do you think you can manage that?

Neil: I’ll do my best. Right, getting
ready…

Feifei: Ready?

Neil: Let’s do it.

Role-play

Neil: Hello, Feifei!

Feifei: Hi, Neil! How are you
settling in?

Neil: Oh, quite well,
everybody’s very friendly and everything, but there are a few things I’m a bit
confused about.

Feifei: Oh, anything I can
help with?

Neil: Well, yes, the thing
is, I know we’re not allowed to smoke inside, but what about outside? Are we
allowed to smoke in the car park?

Feifei: No. I’m sorry, but
we’re not allowed. Smoking’s against company policy, even in the car park.

Neil: OK, I thought so. I just wanted
to check. Oh, and I was wondering, what about wearing shorts at work? Is that
allowed?

Feifei: No, wearing shorts,
that’s a big no-no.

Neil: Hmm, I saw Charlie wearing
shorts on Monday and I thought–

Feifei: Noooo…Monday was actually
his day off and he just popped in to pick something up. Wearing jeans at work
is against company policy, definitely. It’s not very business-like.

Neil: Oh, right, I see. OK
and I wanted to go home early on Friday. I guess that’s not allowed either, is
it?

Feifei: No, I’m afraid it
isn’t.

Feifei: So that’s the end of today’s
role play, how was it for you, Neil?

Neil: Yep, very good, but my
word – what a lot of rules, I’m glad we don’t have as many as that here at BBC
Learning English!

Feifei: I know. We’re quite
relaxed here. Join us again soon for another episode of 6 Minute English. Bye.